General Education Department Chair​/Head

General Education Department Chair/Head

The General Education Department Chair/Head provides strategic academic, administrative, and instructional leadership for the General Education Department, including the Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and University Studies certificate programs. This position is responsible for supervising and developing faculty; ensuring instructional quality and compliance with accreditation, state, and institutional standards; overseeing curriculum development, assessment, and continuous improvement; and managing departmental operations, budgets, and student concerns.

The Department Chair/Head fosters an inclusive and student-centered learning environment, promotes excellence in teaching and faculty professional development, provides academic instruction and student advisement, and serves as a liaison between the department, college leadership, and the community to support student success and advance the College's mission and strategic goals.

• Department Leadership
  - Manages and supervises General Studies Faculty, including recruitment of full-time and adjunct faculty, recommendations for employment, instructional orientation, and performance management and review. Ensures the General Studies Department adheres to accreditation standards. Directly administers teaching evaluations to assess teaching performance of General Studies Faculty. Coordinates with department faculty regarding development and maintenance of course documentation and textbook/OER selections. Coordinates and facilitates professional development, including continuing education for all General Studies Faculty to promote their individual growth.
• Program Coordination
  - Provides academic and administrative leadership for the General Studies Programs (Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and University Studies certificates). Creates and maintains an environment conducive to teaching a range of diverse students. Represents General Studies to central administration of the College and the community, informally and formally. Manages student issues within the General Studies Department. Develops and manages the General Studies Departmental budgets.
• Instructional Development
  - Develops, revises, and maintains courses, syllabi, lesson plans, and curriculum.
• Teaching Performance
  - Demonstrates ability to present course materials through appropriate instructional strategies to facilitate the learning process.
• Professional Development
  - Participates in professional development activities, both internally and externally, to expand knowledge and skills.
• Instructional Management
  - Manages and controls classroom activities. Observes required office hours. Timely and accurately submits grades and reports.
• Student Advisement
  - Advises students by assisting students in personal and professional development and providing academic guidance to assigned advisees and students enrolled in classes.
• College and/or Community Service
  - Participates in college activities, including committees and teams, recruitment, and promotion events, and promotes the college through public service.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Department Chairs/Heads will meet, at a minimum, the faculty requirements as listed below and will have three (3) years of progressively responsible related work experience. A Master's Degree in a General Education field, or a Master's Degree in a closely related field with at least 18 graduate credit hours in a General Education field. Must have a valid driver's license.

Knowledge of principles and procedures pertaining to higher education. Knowledge of standard business practices and accepted protocol for areas of responsibility. Knowledge of practices related to grant funding from state and federal sources. Knowledge of college mission, goals, and objectives. Ability to relate areas of responsibility to college goals and objectives. Ability to supervise and coordinate the activities of a professional level staff.

Ability to establish good working relationship with alumni, businesses, students, media, faculty, legislators, and others in the college community. Ability to interpret and apply Federal and State regulations. Teaching ability is a must, with a concern for student success and willingness to advise students on a regular basis. Excellent written and verbal skills and ability to facilitate open communication between college employees, administrators, and students.

Limited supervision provided by the Dean of Arts and Sciences. Teaching environments include classroom and lab. Local travel to business/industry and community campuses required. Some short-term travel may be required for professional meetings. Professional development may require some overnight stays. Teaching locations include State, Federal, and Juvenile correctional facilities, high schools, community campuses, and…